With Tokyo Dome now in the books, New Japan officially began their new year today, and the road to Tokyo Dome 2026, with their traditional new campaign launch event, NEW YEAR DASH!!
Today’s event was held at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.
The announced paid attendance was 2348.
None of the matches were announced in advance.
Pre-show match: Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Daiki Nagai, Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato. Nagata beat Nagai with Nagata Lock 2.
Match 1: In an Exhibition Match, Boltin Oleg vs. Josh Barnett went to a 5 minute time limit draw.
Match 2; Jacob Austin Young, Francesco Akira, TJP, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb beat Jado, Master Wato, Tomoaki Honma, Shota Umino & El Phantasmo. Khan pinned Honma after Eliminator. Afterwards, Khan tore up a handmade IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt Umino had been carrying around which was made by a young fan, which probably sets up the next feud for Umino.
Match 3: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi, Sho & Ren Narita beat Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi. Sho pinned TM 4.
Match 4: Clark Connors & SANADA beat TAKA Michinoku & Taichi. SANDA beat TAKA with Skull End.
Match 5: KUSHIDA & El Desperado beat KENTA & Taiji Ishimori. KUSHIDA beat KENTA with Hoverboard Lock.
Match 6: BUSHI, Titan, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji beat Gedo, Drilla Moloney, Gabriel Kidd & David Finlay. Titan pinned Gedo after Jade Immortal.
Match 7: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Alex Zayne. Naito pinned Taguchi after Destino. Afterwards, Naito issued an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship challenge to Matt & Nick Jackson, who beat LIJ in a 3-way yesterday to win the vacant titles.
Main Event: Rocky Romero, Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto beat Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr. Yoh beat Eagles with a ground cobra twist. Afterwards, with the shot in hand from winning the New Japan Ranbo on Saturday, Goto issues the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenge to Sabre. That match will likely happen at THE NEW BEGINNING on 2/11 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka.
The next event is Battle In The Valley 2025 Saturday at San Jose Civic in San Jose, CA. Live streaming on New Japan World for all paying subscribers and as a PPV on Triller/FITE ($19.99) will begin at 7 PM PT/10 PM ET. No live results because, recent health concerns not withstanding, I will be there live in person!
